Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Kent State
Football Falls To Kent State
10/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 7, 2000
MOUNT PLEASANT--A 49-yard Dave Pavich field goal in overtime gave Kent State University a 24-21 win over Central Michigan University on Saturday afternoon at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The win, the Golden Flashes' first of the 2000 campaign, improves their record to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the Mid-American Conference while CMU falls to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
With the score tied at 21-21 at the end of regulation, the Chippewas got the ball first in overtime. Central's first possession in overtime ended when Paul Savich missed a 37-yard field goal. Kent State also failed to convert on its opening possession.
KSU got the ball first in the second phase of overtime and cashed in with the 49-yard kick by Pavich to take a 24-21 advantage.
CMU got a first down on its possession when Steve Messam caught a seven-yard pass from Derrick Vickers but Kent State sealed the victory when Desmond Turner intercepted a Vickers pass at the KSU four-yard line.
The win was the Golden Flashes' first overtime victory while CMU is now 1-2 in games that go to the extra session.
It was all Kent State in the early going. KSU took a 14-0 lead on a pair of first-half touchdowns. The scoring opened with a Neil Buckosh 13-yard touchdown reception from Jeff Valentino at the 7:49 mark of the first quarter. Booker Vann made it 14-0 at 6:46 of the second with a two-yard rushing score.
Central got on the board late in the first half when Messam caught a 21-yard pass from Vickers to make it 14-7.
The Chippewas got the first score of the second half when Kenan Lawhorne caught a short screen pass and scampered to the end zone for an 83-yard score to tie the score at 14-14.
Kent State took the lead back late in the third on a Chante Murphy one-yard run that made it 21-14 but the Chippewas answered with a 17-yard scoring strike from Vickers to Eric Salani to knot the score at 21-21.
The Chippewas were led by Lawhorne who had 86 yards rushing and 87 receiving yards in his first collegiate outing.
Quarterback Pete Shepherd started the game but was replaced by Vickers in the second quarter. Vickers was 19-of-32 for 261 yards and three touchdowns.
CMU has next weekend off before playing at Ohio on Oct. 21.
NOTES AND QUOTES
* The KSU win ended an 18-game road losing streak.
*CMU freshman receiver Steve Messam caught the first touchdown pass of his career. It was a 21-yarder from fellow freshman Derrick Vickers.
*KSU redshirt freshman quarterback Jeff Valentino started the first game of his career. He completed 10-of-21 pass attempts for 132 yards and a touchdonw. The TD was a 13-yarder to Neil Buckosh for the first score of the game.
*KSU placekicker Dave Pavich hit a career-best 49-yard field goal in overtime. His previous career-high was 44 yards.
*Injuries forced CMU to start true freshman Kenan Lawhorne at tailback. It was the first action of his career. Lawhorne rushed 24 times for 86 yards and caught three passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. The TD was an 83-yard screen pass from Derrick Vickers.
*KSU junior RB Chante Murphy rushed for 114 yards and a TD on 33 carries. It was Murphy's fifth career 100-yard game and his second of the season.
CMU Head Coach Mike DeBord
"It's hard because our kids gave a great effort. There is a lot of emotion that goes into a game by our staff and players and it's hard to take. I feel for the players. They played hard and battled and it's tough to lose.(on QB Derrick Vickers' play): "Vickers never knew when he was going to play. So for him to bring the team from behind is outstanding. He had an exceptional game."
(on playing a fifth-string tailback): "It told our staff after we lost four backs that we didn't have to worry about Lawhorne's play, but we had to worry about him getting hurt because I was the sixth running back."
(on the last series in regulation when CMU took a knee): "The fans want razzle-dazzle but you can't put your team in a situation to turn it over and lose the game. I have no doubt that it was the right move."
(on the final interception in OT): "Vickers let it rip and the guy made a great play. He was in the right place at the right time.
Kent State Head Coach Dean Pees
"This is a great win for us. We had a couple of chances to win this year but we ended up killing ourselves. We've been a good team but we've had nothing to show for it. Mount Pleasant is not an easy place for me to win. This is our first win in six visits I've had here. This locker room has not been a happy place for me. But with this big win I am very pleased."
"I've had no OT experience but you see enough of it and it's a matter of red zone defense. It all depends on who wins the toss. You hope you win the toss so you can defend first and respond to the other team's offensive output."
"I think it was a good idea for Central Michgian to run down the clock at the end of the game. It you throw it and get picked off you would have a chance for a field goal and what good does that do Central. When you run down the clock, at least you know it is a tie game going into overtime."
